USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 77
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Paul Harris was reared and educated in Logan county and mainly spent his time on the home farm prior to March 1, 1912, when he came to Port Jefferson and entered into his present partnership. The firm of Baker and Harris handles both shelf and heavy hardware and all the leading makes of agricultural implements, and their patronage comes from a wide surrounding territory.
In politics Mr. Harris is a democrat but is no seeker for office as at pres- ent he finds his time sufficiently employed with his own business problems. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and he was reared in the Methodist faith. He is an enterprising young man in his business relations and through a pleasing personality has many friends in social life.
WYANT A. DE WEESE, who is operating his wife's farm of eighty acres, which is a part of the Gearhart estate and lies in Perry township, Shelby county, O., is one of the best known and highly regarded citizens of the county in which for over twenty-five years he has been a successful school teacher. The De Weese name is well known throughout Shelby county in other connections for the family has long been one of sturdy character in this section. He was born on the land that his grandfather entered from the Government as early as 1804, on October 1, 1867, and is a son of Leonidas and Margaret (Thompson) De Weese.
Leonidas De Weese was born on his father's pioneer farm in Perry township, and now lives retired at Sidney, O. His first marriage was to Margaret Thompson, who died January 18, 1891, and she was the mother of eight children, namely: Laura D., who married A. L. Gibbs; Hamilton G .; Wyant A .; Thornton N., who died September 25, 1910; Hattie M., who mar- ried A. C. Dill; Lagurna, who married W. L. C. Sturm; Bertha, who married O. S. Vance; and Thurman G., who is a bookkeeper in a bank at Norwalk, O. The second marriage of Mr. De Weese was to the widow of his brother, N.
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W. De Weese, Mrs. Mary Ellen De Weese, who died in February, 1911 ; and the third marriage was to Lucy Mowen, and they now reside at Sidney.
Wyant A. De Weese completed the common school course and then enter- ed the Normal School at Ada, O., where he prepared for the profession of teaching, receiving his first certificate from A. B. C. Hitchcock. Since 1866 he has spent a part of every year in the educational field, mainly in Shelby county but also in Logan county, and in every neighborhood he finds a friendly welcome from some who have, at one time or another, profited under his instruction.
On February 14, 1897, Mr. De Weese was married to Miss Marilla Gear- hart, a daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth A. (Burditt) Gearhart. They were Ohio people and the father of Mrs. De Weese was born in Miami coun- ty and the mother in Hancock county. The latter resides in the home of Mr. and Mrs. De Weese, the father having died some years since. They had two children : Marilla and George L., the latter of whom owns eighty-four acres of excellent land in Perry township. Mrs. De Weese is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a stanch democrat, as is his father, and he has served two terms as township trustee and on many occasions has been chosen as an official of educational organizations. His only fraternal connection is with the Knights of Pythias at Quincy.
SAMUEL MILLER, whose three tracts of land, all lying in Perry town- ship, aggregate 170 acres, is one of the well known and representative men of this section and belongs to an old and respected Ohio family. . He was born in Perry township, Shelby county, August 26, 1850, and is a son of Henry R. and Catherine ( Beasley) Miller. Henry R. Miller and wife came to Perry township. from near Springfield, O., where they had married. During his early married life he followed the blacksmith trade but afterward became a farmer and both he and wife died here and their burial was at Cedar Point. They had three children : Samuel; John; and Mary, who is the wife of John Doren.
Samuel Miller attended the district schools in boyhood and then gave his father assistance on the home farm until his own marriage at the age of twenty-two years. After that event he rented farm land for over twelve years and then purchased the 100-tract on which his son Charles now resides. He inherited sixty acres from his father and subsequently pur- chased twenty additional acres. His land is devoted to general agriculture but Mr. Miller no longer is active in carrying on the farm industries, his son and a son-in-law very capably bearing the responsibilities.
On June 27, 1872, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Nancy Jane Young, a daughter of Samuel and Jane (Johnston) Young. Mr. and Mrs. Young's children were: Lucinda, Ellen, Elizabeth, Margaret, Nancy Jane, Retta Jane, James and Frank. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller three children have been born, namely : Charles, who was married first to Ola Jenkins and after her death to Macey Mennier ; Grace, who married Harvey De Weese and they have two children : Roy and Millard; and Jennie Catherine, who resides at home. Mr.
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Miller and family are active members of the United Brethren church. In politics Mr. Miller, like his· late father, is a republican and has served his township in local offices. He has been particularly interested in the public schools and in forwarding the movement for good roads.
ROBISON JAMES DEWEESE, who is a well known citizen of Shelby county, O. and a prominent resident and substantial farmer of Perry township owns 136 acres, of very fine land. He was born on this farm, and is a son of Newton William and Sarah Jane ( Thompson) DeWeese.
Newton William DeWeese was born in Miami county, O., but for many years was a farmer in Shelby county and died here in advanced age. His first marriage was to Sarah Jane Thompson, who was born in Shelby county, of Virginia parents. To this marriage the following children were born: John Bunyan, deceased; Smallwood Thompson, deceased; Robison James; Lewis McKelvey; Margaret Susannah, wife of David N. Spiece; and Sarah Jane, wife of Benjamin F. Struble. After the death of his first wife, New- ton DeWeese married Elizabeth Epler and two children were born to them: Leota E., who is the wife of Jacob B. Strayer; and Erma, who died young. The family belonged to the Baptist church and the burial of the parents was in Glenn cemetery at Port Jefferson, O.
Robison J. DeWeese attended the district schools and afterward worked for his father on the home place for three years. He then embarked in the hardware business at Port Jefferson, where he continued for twenty years and for two years was in the same business at Piqua, and for one year, engaged in manufacturing elbows for tin spouting, being a tinner by trade. Finding an advantageous opportunity to dispose of this business he sold and in 1904 returned to the home farm, purchasing the interests of the other heirs in the same and ever since has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits here.
In 1891 Mr. DeWeese was married to Miss Sarah Margaret Dutton, who was born in Shelby county. Her parents were Thomas and Mary (Field) Dutton, natives of England, the father being a miller by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Dutton had the following children: Frances, who is the widow of Abraham Allabaugh ; Mary A., who is the wife of John W. Baker; William, who served in the Civil war, died shortly after its close; Edward, who is deceased; Eliza- beth, who is deceased; Sarah Margaret, who is the wife of Mr. DeWeese and Laura, who married D. F. Moreland of Sidney. Mr. and Mrs. DeWeese have two children : Mae Agnes, and Roy Newton, residing at home, the latter being a member of the senior class in the Sidney high school.
In politics Mr. DeWeese is a democrat and at present is treasurer of Perry township and for five years was a member of the school board in this township. He is president of the Farmers Telephone Company and is a mem- ber of its board of directors. For many years he has been identified with the Odd Fellows at Port Jefferson and belongs to the encampment at Sidney.
DAVID T. CLINEHENS, one of the prominent men of Perry township, who owns the fine farm of 100 acres on which he resides, was born in Shelby county, May 6, 1853, and is a son of George and Eva (Muth) Clinehens.
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George Clinehens was born in Baden, Germany, where he was reared and from there came to the United States before his marriage. He was a farmer all his life, for many years being a respected resident of Dinsmore township, Shelby county, where his death occurred, and his burial was by the side of his wife in Pearl cemetery at Swanders, O. They were members of the Reformed church. The following children were born to them: Nicholas, deceased; Mary, wife of George Wenger; Conrad; George, deceased ; Eliza- beth, wife of W. R. Park; John; David T .; and Philip R., deceased.
David T. Clinehens attended the district schools through boyhood and then worked for his father on the home farm until he was twenty-two years old when he started out for himself, buying the interests of the other heirs in the homestead, which he held until 1902 when he sold it and bought a one- half section in Salem township. After living there for six years he sold and then bought his present farm from Thomas Kiser. After improving to some extent and remodeling the farm residence, Mr. Clinehens now owns one of the most attractive homes on the Dingman turnpike road. He has other property north of Sidney and also is a stockholder in the Farmers Telephone Company.
In 1880 Mr. Clinehens was married to Miss Ida J. Lochard, who was born in Champaign county, O., a daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Ellis) Lochard. Mrs. Clinehens had two brothers and one sister: John W., Isaac A. and Ella, who is now deceased and formerly was the wife of John Forry. To Mr. and Mrs. Clinehens the following children have been born: Ada May; Warthen Miller, who married Clara Clayton, died March 20, 1911, they having two children-Ralph C., and Ruth Luella; Charles E .; Raymond W .; Gertrude Hazel and David Ellis. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Clinehens is a democrat and has served in several township offices, for two terms being a member of the school board, and for two years turnpike superintendent.
GEORGE L. GEARHART, who carries on general farming and stock raising on his valuable farm of eighty-four acres, which lies in Perry town- ship, Shelby county, O., was born in this township, January 18, 1870, and is the only son of Anthony and Elizabeth ( Burditt) Gearhart. The father, who is now deceased, was born in Miami county, O., and the mother in Han- cock county and the latter resides with her only daughter, Marilla, who is the wife of Wyant A. DeWeese.
George L. Gearhart remained on the home farm assisting his father after his school days were over, until he was twenty-three years old and then started out for himself. He began by renting 164 acres in Perry township, which he cultivated until his father died when he inherited his present farm of eighty- four acres and settled here. Many improvements seemed desirable and as rapidly as possible Mr. Gearhart brought them about, these including the tiling of the land in many places, the remodeling of the barn and the erection of a handsome residence with many modern comforts installed. He is a wide awake, progressive farmer and is prosperous.
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In December, 1892, Mr. Gearhart was married to Miss Lavina J. Fogt, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of John B. and Isabel ( Ragan) Fogt. They were farming people of this county and the father died on his farm in Franklin township and his burial was in the Pearl cemetery. The mother survives and is a resident of Pemberton, O. They had the following children : Minnie, who is the wife of Frank Young; Elizabeth; Albert ; Elmer ; and Bertha, who is the wife of Charles Knief. Mrs. Fogt subsequently mar- ried William Line and they have one daughter, Ona, who is the wife of W. J. Foster.
Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart have two children: Gladys Ruth and Joy Marie. They attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Gearhart has always been a democrat in his political preference, and fraternally is identified with the F. & A. M. at Port Jefferson, O.
HENRY J. ZIMPFER, a very successful agriculturist and a well known and highly respected citizen of Dinsmore township, Shelby county, resides on his well improved farm of 165 acres, which lies two miles north of Anna, O. He was born on this farm in 1875, and is a son of John and Margaret (Beamer) Zimpfer. The family is of German extraction but both parents were born in Ohio, the mother being a native of Franklin township this county. For a number of years the father carried on farming in Dinsmore township, where he was a leading member of the Lutheran church and a highly respected man. His death occurred July 2, 1912. On November 25, 1869, he married Margaret Beamer, who died November 14, 1912, and they spent their entire married life in Dinsmore township. They had four chil- dren : Henry J., John, Jennie and Arthur, John and Arthur being deceased.
Henry J. Zimpfer secured his education in the public schools. He has always resided on the home farm and learned all the practical details of farm- ing under his father, and since the property came into his hands has not only continued the old industries but has widened his interests, improved on old methods and has made this one of the fine farmns of the county.
Mr. Zimpfer was married in 1896 to Miss Mertie Boyer, and all their children survive, the record being : James Arthur, born in 1898; Thelma Ruth, in 1901; Sylva Ruberta, in 1903; Robert, in 1904, and Claude, in 1906. Mr. Zimpfer is giving them every advantage in his power and they are bright, representative young Americans with every promise of usefulness in the future. Mrs. Zimpfer had four brothers and two sisters: John, William, Elmer, Della, Grace and one who died in infancy. Mr. Zimpfer and family are members of the Lutheran church. Like his late father, Mr. Zimpfer is a stanch democrat. He is treasurer of the Zimpfer special district school board.
WILLIAM C. BAKER, who is one of the valued citizens of Jackson town- ship, is a general farmer and lives one and one-half miles south of Montra, on the west side of the Hussey turnpike road, where are located his 200 acres of well improved land. He was born on this farm, July 22, 1847, and is a son of Jefferson Baker and a grandson of Philip Baker.
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Grandfather Philip Baker was born in Pennsylvania and when he came first to Ohio he settled in Clark county, four miles from Springfield. He married Mary Elizabeth Kessler, whose parents were natives of Germany, and their children were all born and reared in Clark county, namely : George, William, Jacob, Jefferson, Jaines, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary and Susan. Of the above family, Sarah lived to the remarkable age of ninety-three years. Philip Baker died a few months before the birth of his son, Jefferson Baker. His widow survived until 1869 and her burial was in the old cemetery at Port Jefferson.
Jefferson Baker came into the world fatherless but he was blessed with a careful mother and she gave him every educational advantage in her power. He became a scholar, for those days, and taught school and penmanship, being an expert with the old-fashioned goose quill, which has not been alto- gether succeeded by the steel pen, there yet being found old fashioned scriveners who prefer the flexible goose quill of long ago. Mr. Baker became a farmer, acquiring eighty acres of the large property above alluded to, and subsequently he purchased forty more acres and partly cleared his 120 acres but did not survive into advanced age, his death occurring in his forty-fifth year. His burial was in the Howell cemetery at Montra. In politics a stanch democrat he was elected on the democratic ticket to the office of township trustee and also served as school director. His marriage was with Margaret Critten, who was born in Virginia, a daughter of William Critten. She lived to be fifty-four years of age and was the cherished mother of the following children : William C .; Mary Elizabeth, who married Marion Rhynard and they live at Ashley, Mich .; F. M., who died in May, 1909, in Michigan; John H., who is a resident of Lake View, O. The youngest born, a son, died when aged three years.
William C. Baker attended the district schools in Jackson township and also a select school at Port Jefferson, and afterward followed farming on the homestead during the summers and for thirteen terms taught school in the winter seasons. During this time he married and afterward lived for one winter on his father-in-law's farm in Perry township and then came on the homestead. The present residence and barn were built by Mr. Baker's father in 1870 but he has enlarged and improved them and completed the clearing of the land and, as a business, carries on a general agricultural line. Very often he has been called to positions of public responsibility and on the demo- cratic ticket was elected county commissioner and served six years; served two terms as land appraiser; was township clerk and a trustee of Jackson township and for twenty-five years has served on the school booard. He is interested in the Farmers Telephone Company.
Mr. Baker was first married to Miss Mary C. Thompson, a daughter of the late James Thompson of Perry township. She is survived by one son, Allen, who married Alice Lefever. Mr. Baker's second marriage was to Miss Eureka Schmidt, and to this union the following children were born: Nora, who is the wife of Clarence Steenrod, residing at Maplewood, O .; Milton, who is a resident of Maplewood, married Eva Clinehens; May, who lives at
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home; Leo and Lina, twins, the former of whom married Lillie Fogt and the latter, Sidney Ailes; Roscoe, who was a student at Harvard University, Boston, who is a natural mechanic, is in the well digging and pump repairing business at Montra; Ida, who lives at home; and Bessie and Clara who are yet in school. The family belongs to the Disciples church. He is identified with the local Grange and with the K. O. T. M. Mr. Baker and family are among the most representative people in this part of Shelby county.
ALLEN BAKER, general farmer and stock raiser, residing in Perry township, where he owns a farm of eighty-four acres, was born October 16, 1874, in Jackson township, Shelby county, and is a son of William C. and Mary (Thompson) Baker.
William C. Baker was a well known citizen of Shelby county. After the death of his first wife, when their one child, Allen, was eighteen months old, William C. Baker married Miss Eureka Schmidt, of Jackson township and of German ancestry. To the second union the following children were born : Nora, wife of Clarence Steenrod; Milton, who married Effie Clinhens; May; Leo and Lina, twins, the former of whom married a Miss Fogt, and the latter, S. Ailes; and Boston, Ida, Bessie and Clara.
Allen Baker obtained a common school education and remained with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, moving then to his present prop- erty, which was an inheritance. In November, 1896, he was married to Miss Alice LeFevre, who is a daughter of Jacob and Delcina (Line) LeFevre. The LeFevre family is one well known in Shelby county, substantial farming people, and it is connected by marriage with a number of the other old families of this section. Mrs. Baker had the following brothers and sisters: Edward, who married Gertie Pulmere ; William ; James, who married Edna King; War- ren, who is deceased, married Callie Baker; Minnie, who is the wife of Lafe Vester ; Lagurney, who is the wife of Elza A. Baker; and Cora, who is the wife of Samuel Retter. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have three children: Leroy Allen, Velma Alice and Mary Catherine. The family attends the Church of Christ. In his political views, Mr. Baker is a democrat. He is a well known and highly respected citizen of this community and should he carry out a plan he has under consideration, that of removing, early in 1913, to Salem town- ship, this neighborhood will have lost a good resident and a reliable and dependable man.
C. A. JACKSON, farmer ; P. O. Sidney, O .; son of Jesse S. and Mary E. (Sturm) Jackson, was born on the 15th day of April, 1861, in Wabash county, Ind. He is of German descent on his father's side and of Irish extrac- tion on his mother's. His education is what could be obtained in the common schools of his youth and by close application to his studies at home. For a number of years he actively carried on the farming industry but, to some degree, has shifted his responsibilities to the shoulders of his sons in later years. As a side line he has been writing insurance for a number of years and has the bulk of that business, locally. He is an active citizen, possessing the confidence and esteem of those with whom his life has been spent.
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Mr. Jackson has frequently been called upon to accept public office. For four years he was a justice of the peace of Greene township, Shelby county, and at the present time is township assessor. In his views on public questions, he is a progressive republican.
Mr. Jackson married, June 18, 1885, to Miss Lucy E. Monroe, who was born at Pemberton, O., March 9, 1868. The following children have been born to them, namely: Harry W., in 1886; Jesse C., in 1887; Mrs. Nora E. Manning in 1888; James E. in 1890, died in 1891; Lee M., born in 1892; Harvey, in 1894: Lyda R., in 1897; and Wilbur H. in 1902. Mr. Jackson and his entire family are members of the Christian church at Palestine, O., and for many years he has been superintendent of the Sunday school. Fra- ternally, he is an Odd Fellow, identified with both the lower branch and the encampment, belonging also to the auxiliary order of Rebeccas. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and its auxilliary, Ladies of the Golden Eagle; of the Improved Order of Redmen ; and the Modern Work- mien of America.
WALLACE S. DU VALL, who, with his father, owns a valuable farm containing 163 acres, situated in Salem township, Shelby county, O., was born on this farm, November 28, 1874, and is a son of Elias L. and Amanda (Scott) Du Vall.
Elias L. Du Vall was born also in Salem township, October 2, 1848, and is a son of Nimrod and Amassie (Le Fever) Du Vall, and was reared to an agricultural life. He had two brothers, Jacob and Manford, and three sisters, Adeline, Sarah and Malissa. In 1873 Elias L. Du Vall married a daughter of John and Nancy ( Keith) Scott and their only child is Wallace S., of Salem township.
Wallace S. Du Vall worked for three years on the home farm after his school days were over and then became a commercial traveler, going on the road for the Standard Tie Company, of Detroit, Mich. He continued with that house for three years and afterward traveled for seven years far the Page Fence Company, of Adrian, Mich., after which he returned to the farm and ever since has taken a practical interest in general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Du Vall was married March 17, 1894, to Miss Clara Faulder, who died September 19, 1900. She was survived by two children, Hazel M. and Bertha I., and the following brothers and sisters : Mrs. O. G. Shroyer, Frank Faulder, Harry, William, Mrs. Elza Pence, John, Mrs. Charles Valentine, Mrs. Dottie Bland and Wallace. Mr. Du Vall was married (second) in June, 1902, to Miss Ella M. Blue, a daughter of Henry Blue. Mrs. Du Vall had two brothers William and George. both deceased, and two half sisters : Mrs. DeWitt Bush, of Sidney, O., and Mrs. Gus Schnell, of Portland, Ore. Mr. and Mrs. Du Vall have one daughter, Anna M. Nominally Mr. Du Vall is a republican but exercises his own judgment when he casts his vote. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Maplewood, as does his father.
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JOHN W. ZEDEKER, who is one of the best known citizens of Shelby county, now living retired on his farm of 190 acres, which is situated in Franklin township, came here thirty-eight years ago and has been a continuous resident. He was born in Montgomery county, O., six miles north of Dayton, O., February 18, 1836, and is a son of Jacob E. and Mary M. (Campbell) Zedeker.
The Zedeker family was a pioneer one of Montgomery county and the father of John W. Zedeker was born on the old homestead there and remained through life on the same place on which his parents settled in 1805, passing away in his eighty-fifth year. He married Mary M. Campbell, who belonged to an old family of Highland county, O., and the following children were born to them: Eliza Jane, John W., Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, Daniel S., Jacob E., Martha and Julia. They were among the founders of the Dunkard faith in Montgomery county and were liberal in church support.
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